Turkey Day is Coming!

Belle is so ready for her 2nd Thanksgiving! This year we will be at my Mama's house. There will be lots of family there too! Friday night Mama came to visit and she left earlier this morning. Here is a recap of what we did.
Saturday we went to Branson to see a wonderful show at Sight and Sound Theatres called "Miracle of Christmas." It was basically like a live nativity. We could not take pictures in the theater but I did get a picture of the beautiful angel tree in the lobby. It is 30 feet high. It was so pretty!

Mama and I were pretty excited about the show.

We ate a late lunch at McFarlains. It was so yummy. Sunday we went to church and it was a wonderful service. We sang Revelation Song, which was very worshipful and beautiful.
Later Sunday afternoon, Mama helped us get our Christmas tree up and she took over the Christmas lights. We do not have a prelit tree so it's hard to put lights on the tree we do have. Mama, on the other hand, is an expert at it. She always makes it look great. I seriously couldn't do it how she does it! We did decorate early this year because my cousin's wedding is in less than 2 weeks and we may end up staying in "lower AR" that whole time. :)


I know this is another random picture, but I thought this was funny! It looks like Mr. Turkey is about to run away! :)

Mama and I went to Fayetteville and met my aunt Molly, Aunt Dodie and sweet cousins, Parke and Emily for dinner. I just love them! So happy we can spend more time w/ them on Thanksgiving too!
Yesterday we went to see a matinee movie, The Blind Side. Oh my word, ya'll! It is such a great movie! We all loved it! Great movie to see as soon as you can!

Last night we went to our town's downtown square to take pictures. Belle hardly looked at the camera, but this was one of the best pics Mama took!

It was soo beautiful at the square. We are leaving tomorrow for South AR and are excited to see family and friends for the holiday.

Thanksgiving Traditions

Lately I have been thinking a lot about our family's Thanksgiving traditions. Here are a few of them:

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade!

We have to turn the TV on every Thanksgiving to watch it. It has changed a lot over the past few years, but it's still a tradition for all of us! All kinds of Thanksgiving food such as turkey, dressing, gravy, rolls, and other foods. However, one thing we cannot forget is....
The MASHED POTATOES! HA! I say that because one year, at Mama and Daddy's, we were almost ready to eat. Thr turkey was ready and sliced, the rolls were ready, etc. but I asked Mama, "Where are the mashed potatoes?" She said, "OH NO! We forgot about the mashed potatoes!" We didn't have time to make homemade like we usually do, but it was just so funny that she just grabbed a box of instant mashed potatoes and whipped those up real quick! HA! I always joke about that. It's so funny!

And of course, every Thanksgiving day or the day after we always watch Christmas Vacation! We have seen it so many times that I have lost count! We just laugh as hard as ever, especially with a lot of people watching it at once!


Also, my family always waits til the day after Thanksgiving to decorate the tree. And we have never been one of those "black Friday" shoppers. It is just too crazy. What are your Thanksgiving traditions? I'd love to know!

I praise you for remembering me in everything and for holding to the teachings just as I passed them on to you. 1 Corinthians 11:2

Our First Year with Belle

One year ago today, Russell and I got our sweet puppy dog, Belle. One year ago, I remember when we traveled up to Missouri to pick her up. When we saw her, it was love at first sight! I think I said, "AWW!" MANY times! Belle didn't even make a sound for about a week it seemed like!
She really enjoyed her 1st Christmas with us

She loved being snowed in with both of us too!

She loves to go on walks outside. But not too fond of cold weather. She likes warmer weather!

She loved her "barkday" cake as well.

But most of all, we have loved spending our time with Belle. She has been our "little joy" ever since we got her! We love her lots!

Operation Christmas Child Music Video

Here is a music video promoting Operation Christmas Child. Matthew West and Amy Grant sing this song together and its great! Also, I forgot to mention yesterday that these shoe boxes go to different countries, not the U.S. But it is an awesome way to reach out to children around the world! :)

Enjoy!

What a Shoebox Can Do

What can a shoebox do for someone?

Lots for a child.

For years, even before I met Russell, I helped fill shoeboxes to give children for Christmas. FBC Camden, my former church, takes part in this every year and they have participated in this for several years now. It is called Operation Christmas Child. How it works is you find an empty shoebox and then fill it with items for children. You may fill it with all sorts of things like a toothbrush/toothpaste, a ball, bar of soap, a small childrens book, crayons, and more! There are many options. Soon after you fill it, your shoebox may look somewhat like this one:
Isn't it AWESOME? Samaritans Purse organization is the one that started Operation Christmas Child. What a great thing. And some of these children have never even received a gift before! Go to http://www.samaritanspurse.org/ to learn even more details. I do know, however, the deadline to send off the shoeboxes is soon, so go now, if you can, and fill an empty shoebox for a precious child!

By the way tomorrow I will have a youtube video up telling more about it! Stay tuned!

Congrats to Lauren!

Guess what? My niece Lauren was recently elected for 2nd grade rep for her class! Just like Logan was elected last year for 3rd grade rep! She wrote a speech for her class too. She will be a great representative because:

1. She is creative and has good ideas.

2. She will help her class be kind to others and set an example.

3. She is very smart and loves to read and shows her peers that reading is fun!

4. She is a fun-loving, smart all around sweet girl!

I am so proud and excited for her!

Then he said to them, "Whoever welcomes this little child in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. For he who is least among you all-he is the greatest." Luke 9:48